The 1986 proposal

Sarah Ferguson made her fashionable debut on 17 March 1986 after Buckingham Palace announced her engagement to Prince Andrew. For the history-making occasion, she donned a black coat (shoulder pads included) and a violet-hued dress. [Photo: Getty]

From '80s power suits to her royal wedding comeback, we chart Sarah Ferguson's style evolution

The Duchess of Cambridge may rule the headlines while the ‘Meghan Effect’ continues to shape the fashion market but there’s one former member of the royal family who reigned the circuit before either of them had even been born.

Back in the early eighties, Sarah Ferguson made the sartorial history books courtesy of a flamboyant (potentially protocol-breaking) wardrobe.

After wedding the Duke of York in a frothy Lindka Cierach couture gown, the royal newbie brought headline-gracing style to every public engagement with puffball sleeves and sailor collars high on the sartorial agenda.

Fast-forward to the nineties and she was a high-flying figure with a powerful closet to match thanks to the bolshy suits and office-ready briefcases hanging from her Kensington Palace closet.

In the post-divorce years, the former royal took a break from the media spotlight. But in true Ferguson style, the 58-year-old made a surprise comeback at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s May 19 nuptials – with one glove to hand (a now-signature style move).

As her youngest daughter Princess Eugenie prepares to wed Jack Brooksbank on October 12, we take a look back at Fergie’s extraordinary style evolution.

Fingers crossed she’ll deliver one of her greatest looks to date this Friday.